Apparatus for folding fabric



Jan. 21, 1969 v. D. SHERRILL APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Sheet of 6 Filed Dec. 9, 1966 INVENTOR VAN D. SHEER/Ll.

ar 6 M ATTOR/V') 21, 1969 v. D. SHERRILL APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Sheet Filed Dec '9, ,1966

M/VENTOI? VAN D. SHEER/LL ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1969 v. o. SHERRILL 3,423,083

I APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet 3 of 6 I I 222g #42 M 05a 52 I H A d 75 O v M ma 08 mm flab I/VVENTO/P VA/V D. SHEER/LL ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1969 v. o. SHERRILL 3,423,033

APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet 4 of 6 ATTORNEY 1969 v. D. SHERRILL 3,

APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Sheet .5 of 6 Filed Dec. 9, 1966 F/GI8 //V VENTOR VAN D. SHERR/L L ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1969 v. D. SHERRILL 3,423,083

APPARATUS FOR FOLDING FABRIC Filed Dec. 9, 1966 Sheet 6 of e 203 I fi uvvnv r01? VAN 0. SHERR/LL ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for folding a downwardly moving continuous length of fabric which directs the moving fabric into folds onto a table by use of a plurality of alternate air streams and clamping members.

This invention relates to an apparatus for folding textile fabric and the like and more particularly to such an apparatus wherein air streams are used to direct the fabric during folding.

The present apparatus in use for fabric folding is complicated, expensive and cumbersome. One example of such apparatus is shown in the patent to Cohn et al. No. 2,761,678, where a complicated roller arrangement is used to deposit by gravity successive layers of a continuous length of fabric onto a table. This arrangement necessitates many chains, drive shafts, rollers and reversing mechanisms, all of which are subjected to wear and require frequent adjustment and maintenance.

Fabric that is light in weight is difficult to fold by the gravity means employed in the Cohn patent in that it tends to resist falling due to air resistance acting on its undersurface and in addition positive control of the edges of the pile of fabric is difiicult to obtain so that a non-uniform pile often results.

The present invention provides apparatus for folding fabric by blowing air against alternate sides of a downwardly moving length of a fabric which is held down at one side by a first hold down bar while the air stream forces it over to the other side under a raised second hold down bar which then moves down and clamps the fabric at the side, air is then blown from this side and first bar is raised so that the fabric may be moved under it, the first 'bar is brought down, and the cycle repeated.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for folding fabric that is rapid and positive in operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for folding fabric that is simple in construction but reliable in service.

A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for folding fabric that can be used to fold a multiplicity of widths and kinds of fabric.

A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for folding fabric that permits of precision controlled folding of the fabric with constant hold down and controlled pile height.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for folding fabric that uses a controlled incremental downward table movement in conjunction with each fold of fabric but which table can be quickly returned to initial position from any lowered position.

A further object 'of the present invention is to provide apparatus for folding fabric that does not soil or damage the fabric.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following de- Patented Jan. 21, 1969 scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the fabric folding apparatus in accordance with the present invention, parts being broken away and in phantom to illustrate the internal construction;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 88 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 8A-8A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit for operating the air supply portion of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit for operating the table and fabric let down portion of the present invention, and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a fluid control system for operation of the apparatus of the present invention.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more Particularly to the drawings, the fabric folding apparatus of the present invention includes a supporting frame 10 with a plurality of vertical frame members 11, connected by pairs of horizontal upper and lower connecting members 12 and 14.

An electric driving motor 15 of well known type is provided mounted on a lower horizontal member 14 and having a speed reduction gear box 16 mounted thereon and integral therewith.

The gear box 16 has a drive shaft 18 extending horizontally forwardly therefrom with a pulley 19 attached thereto.

A belt 20 connects the pulley 19 to a pulley 21 which is mounted on a rearwardly extending shaft 22 which is journaled in bearings 23 mounted on frame member 11 and has a pulley 24 keyed thereto at its end opposite to pulley 21.

A belt 25 engages the pulley 24, extends vertically and engages pulley 26 mounted on shaft 27 which is journaled in bearings 28 mounted at the top of a frame member 11.

The shaft 27 which extends forwardly from pulley 26 has a pulley 30 keyed thereto at the opposite end from pulley 26.

The pulley 30 is engaged by a belt 31 which extends horizontally and engages pulley 32 mounted on shaft 33 which is mounted in adjustably positioned bearings (not shown) in slot 34 of upper frame member 12. The shaft 33 has connected thereto on the end opposite to the pulley 32 and driven thereby a gear 35 which is engaged with and drives a similar gear 36 on a shaft 38 which is also mounted in adjustably positioned bearings (not shown) in slot 34. The shaft 38 has a pulley 37 keyed thereto and a belt 39 engaged with the pulley 37 connects it with a pulley 40 which is keyed to a shaft 41.

The shaft 41 is journaled in a pair of bearings 42 which are mounted on a pair of uprights 43 attached to an upper frame member 12. The shaft 41 supports a let down roll 44 of conventional type between the bearings 42.

Shafts 33 and 38 extend rearwardly and are journaled in bearings 33a and 38a adjustably mounted on the frame member 12. A pair of nip rolls 45 is provided supported by shafts 33 and '38 which rolls direct and guide the length of fabric brought to them by the let down roll 44. Both shafts 33 and 38 are adjustable horizontally in order to compensate for different thickness of fabric.

The gear box 16 of motor 15 has a shaft 46 extending rearwardly therefrom with a sprocket 47 attached thereto. A chain 48 connects sprocket 47 to sprocket 49 which is mounted on the end of a shaft 50. The shaft 50' extends rearwardly and is journaled in a pair of bearings 51 which are connected respectively to uprights 53 and 54 which are mounted on lower frame member 14.

A main drive cam 55 is provided fastened on shaft 50 in front of upright 53 behind and integral with the sprocket 47.

An arm 56 is provided with follower stud 57 thereon engaged with the cam 55, the arm 56 being pivotally mounted on a shaft 58 at its end opposite stud 57. The arm 56 is bifurcated as shown more fully in FIG. 6 and has an air cylinder 60 mounted thereon with a projection 61 engaged with a ratchet pawl 62 which is swingably mounted on the arm 56. A ratchet wheel 63 is provided keyed to the shaft 58 extending between the Y of the arm 0 56 and is engaged by the pawl 62.

The ratchet wheel 63 is also engaged by a pawl 64 which is swingably mounted to one of the vertical members 11 and connected to an air cylinder 65 which is also mounted on one of the vertical members 11. The pawls 62 and 64 are preferably provided with a plurality of pawl teeth to provide smaller increments of table travel.

The shaft 58 extends rearwardly and forwardly of ratchet wheel 63 and is provided with a central portion 58a and two universal joints 58b. At the rear, shaft 58 is journaled in bearings 66 mounted in frame member 14 and has a gear 67 keyed thereto and engaged with a gear 68 which is keyed to a shaft 70. The shaft 70 is journaled in bearings 66 mounted on upright 11. The shaft 58 has keyed thereto a sprocket 72 and a chain 73 engaged with the sprocket 72 extends vertically upwardly and engages sprocket 74 mounted on shaft 71 which is journald in bearings 76 of frame member 11.

A sprocket 77 is provided mounted on shaft 70 and with chain 78 engaged therewith which connects sprocket 77 to a sprocket 79 which is keyed to a shaft 75. Shaft is journaled in bearings 66 in frame member 11 and is of similar construction to shaft 58.

The shaft 75 has a sprocket 81 mounted thereon with a vertical upwardly extending chain 82 engaged therewith connecting sprocket 81 to an idler sprocket 83 which is keyed to shaft 84 journaled in bearings 76 on upper frame member 12.

The shaft 75 is journaled in bearings 66, and extends horizontally forwardly and has a sprocket 85 keyed to the end of the shaft 75 opposite sprocket 79. A chain 86 connects the sprocket 85 to an idler sprocket 87 mounted on shaft 88 which is journaled in bearings 76 of upper frame member 12.

The chain 78, intermediate the pulleys 77 and 79, is connected to an operating member 89 of a double acting air cylinder 90 of conventional cable cylinder construction. The operating member 89 includes an endless cable 89a of round cross section and nylon covered which is connected to a piston 92 in cylinder 90 and passes over a pair of guide wheels 90a which are rotatably mounted at each end of the cylinder 90. The air cylinder 90 has fluid ports 93. The cylinder 90 is horizontally mounted between two vertical frame members 11 as shown more clearly in FIG. 7. The shaft 58 at its forward end has a sprocket 94 keyed thereto and has a chain 95 engaged therewith and with an idler sprocket 96 which is keyed to shaft 97 journaled in bearings 76 of frame member 11.

Inside the uprights 11 and between the upper connecting members 12 and lower frame members 14 a table 100 is provided, of substantially rectangular shape and with its upper surface coated with a resilient wear resistant material, neoprene 'being particularly suitable but any other desired material can be used.

The table 100 is supported and positioned by chains 73, 82, 86 and 95 which are respectively attached to each of the four corners of the table and control the vertical displacement of the table 100 in conjunction with the folding of fabric onto the table.

The shaft 50 between the cam 55 and the upright 54 is provided with a sprocket which is keyed to the shaft 50 and has a chain 106 connecting it to a sprocket 102 mounted on a shaft 108 which is journaled in bearings 109 mounted on upright 54. A double acting cam 110 is keyed to the shaft 108. The cam 110 has two like cam portions 110:: and 110b, one of which is 180 in advance of the other. Bell cranks 111 of opposite hand are provided, carried on short stub shafts 108a. Each bell crank 111 has a cam follower 111a engaging the surface 1100 of one of the cam portions 110a and 11017. The bell cranks 111 are swingably mounted on the shafts 108a and are free to pivot thereon.

The bell cranks 111 are pivotally engaged at the ends opposite to the cam followers 111a with vertically extending rods 112, which rods 112 connect the bell cranks 111 to hell cranks 114.

The bell cranks 114 are each pivotally mounted on plates 115. The plates 115 are fixedly attached to the upper frame member 12. A pair of hold down bars 117 are provided pivotally attached to the bell cranks 114 and having straight guide links 118 pivotally attached thereto and also pivotally attached to the plates 115 permitting the hold down bars 117 and bell cranks 114 to pivot about the plates 115 and so that the hold down bars remain essentially parallel to the table 100 during its operation.

An air supply system is provided to supply air to fold the fabric. The supply system includes a motor with a fan 151 attached thereto. The motor 150 and fan 151 are housed in a chamber 152 which is mounted on the lower frame member 14 and has an air delivery duct 153 connected thereto.

A pair of ducts 154 are provided connected to duct 153 and extending respectively to each side of the apparatus and then vertically to a pair of discharge ducts 155 connected to each of the ducts 14. The discharge ducts 155 have an opening 156 for discharge of air and extend substantially along the sides of the apparatus within the four corner uprights 11.

Within each of the ducts 154 a valve plate 158 is provided pivotally mounted on a shaft 159 and movable about the shaft 159 to open or close the duct 154 to the passage of air from the air delivery duct 153. Each of the shafts 159 has a first arm 160 fixedly attached thereto with a link 161 connecting it to a second arm 162 which is fixedly mounted to a shaft 163. The shaft 163 has a link 164 fixedly attached thereto and pivotally attached to a link 165 which is attached at each of its ends to a pair of cam follower arms 168. The cam follower arms 168 extend forwardly and are pivotally connected to a pair of brackets 170 which are mounted on the rear of the upright 54.

A cam follower 169 is provided on each arm 168 and engaged by a cam 171. The cam 171 is mounted on a shaft 172 which is attached to a gear box 173 with its output shaft 172 at 90 with respect to its input shaft 50.

The machine can be stopped at any time prior to movement of the table 100 to its lowermost position for removing short stacks.

A limit switch 175 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) can be provided as a safety feature on an upright 11 and having an actuating member 175a engageable by the table 100, so that when the table 100 bottoms further lowering will be prevented.

The electrical circuit for the air supply system is illustrated in FIG. and includes a main control switch 200, input leads 201 which may have any desired potential applied thereto, but as illustrated are a 3 wire 230 Volt 60 cycle alternating current system.

' A starter 202 of conventional type can be provided.

The input leads 201 are connected to the starter 202, leads 203 connect the switch 200 to starter 202 and output leads 204 connect the starter 202 to the air supply system motor 150.

The driving motor circuit is illustrated in FIG. 11 and includes input leads 210 merely by way of example of 3 wire 230 volt 60 cycle alternating current, a starter 202 of the same type as that for the motor 150, and a control switch 211. The switch 211 is connected to the starter 202 by leads 212 one of which is connected through the limit switch 175 and the other of which is connected to the starter 202. Output leads 214 connect the starter 202 to the motor 15.

The air control system is illustrated in FIG. 12 and includes a connection 215 to a suitable source of fluid, preferably of air under pressure, a filter 216, a first regulator R1, a second regulator R2 and air valves V1, V2 and V3. The regulator R1 is normally set at 40 psi. but may be set as desired, and is connected by pipe 217 to the valve V1. The purpose of the air thus supplied is to provide a back or loading pressure against the table 100 to prevent the table 100 from falling and also to provide a low loading force on the pawls 62 and 64. The valve V1 iS connected by pipes 218 and 219 to the ports 93 at opposite ends of the cylinder 90. A pipe 220 connects to the pipe 219 and connects it to the valve V2. The supply connection 215 is also connected to regulator R2 which is normally set at 90 psi. A pipe 225 connects the regulator R2 to the valve V2 and to the valve V3.

The V3 is connected to the air cylinders 60 and 65 by pipes 226 and 227.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

A length of fabric to be folded is brought over the let down roll 44 between the nip rolls 45 beneath the left hold down bar 117. The switches 200 and 211 are closed to energize driving motor 15 and air supply motor 150.

Air is delivered from the chamber 152 through ducts 153, 154 and 155 until it is discharged against a face of the fabric. The let down roll 44 and nip rolls 45 are driven from motor 15 by pulley 19, shaft 18, belt 20, pulley 21, shaft 22, pulley 24 belt 25, pulley 26, shaft 27, pulley 30, belt 31, pulley 32, shaft 33, gear 35, gear 36, pulley 37, belt 39, pulley 40, shaft 41 and shaft 38 to move the fabric down onto table 100. Air from the left hand discharge duct 155 forces the downwardly moving fabric toward the right under the hold down bar 117 at the right which for this purpose is in elevated or spaced position with respect to the table 100 to permit the advance of the fabric. The hold down bar 117 at the right is then lowered or moved downwardly to clamp and hold the fabric, such movement being effected through shaft 50, sprocket 105, chain 106, cam 110, bell crank 111, cam follower 111a, rods 112, bell crank 114 and links 118. Air is discharged from the opening 156 in the right hand discharge duct 155, such flow of air being effected by valve plate 158 closing off the left duct 154 and the valve plate 158 in right duct moving to open position. The valve 158 movement is effected from motor 15 through shaft 50, gear box 173, shaft 172, cam 171, cam follower 169, arm 168, link 165, link 164, arm 160 and shaft 163, so that the valve plate 158 closes off the air flow through left duct 154 and allows it to go through right duct 154 and out through right duct 155.

As the right hold down bar 117 is lowered, the left hold down bar 117 is raised by the action of the cam 110 so that the fabric may move under it. The left hold down bar 117 is brought down on top of the last fold of the fabric and the table 100 dropped a predetermined incremental distance as determined by the ratchet 63. The table is lowered by the chains 73, 82, 86 and which are actuated from motor 15 through sprocket 47, chain 48, sprocket 49, shaft 50, cam 55, arm 56, stud 57, wheel 63, shaft 58, gear 67, gear 68, shaft 70, sprocket 72, chain 73, pulley 77, belt 78, pulley 79, shaft 75, sprocket 81, chain 82, sprocket 85, chain 86, shaft 88, sprocket 94, chain 95, sprocket 96 and shaft 97.

The cycle is then repeated with air for folding supplied consecutively from each side against the fabric. The table 100 may be stopped if desired to remove a stack of folded fabric and if this removal is not effected the table 100 continues to move downwardly unit it strikes the actuating lever a of the limit switch 175. When this occurs power to the motor 15 is cutoff and the motor 15 stops, causing table 100 to come to rest. The fabric can be severed and the pile removed as desired.

To cause the table 100 to move to its starting position, air is supplied to cylinder 90 from air supply connection 215, regulator R2, valve V2, pipe 225 and pipe 220 at 90 p.s.i. to move the piston 92 and operating member 89 to lift the table 100 by chains 73 and 86.

The cylinders 60 and 65 are supplied with air from valve V1 so that pawls 62 and 64 are disengaged from the wheel 63 and it is free to rotate and the table 100 moved to starting position.

Fabric is brought down over roll 44, between nip rolls 45 and the operation repeated.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric which comprises a frame,

members for delivering the fabric to the frame along a vertical path,

a receiving member for folded fabrics located below said members for delivering fabrics, and

means in the frame for folding the fabric comprising a connection to a supply of air under pressure,

a pair of facing air discharge members on opposite sides of the fabric and connected to said supply connection, and

valve means interposed between said supply connection and said discharge members alternately supplying air to said discharge members,

spaced holding members in facing relation on opposite sides of said receiving member and mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the fabric and alternately urging the fabric toward the receiving member, and

means for actuating said holding members in timed relation to the operation of the air discharge members whereby said air discharge members deliver folds of fabric to the holding members.

2. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which said members for delivering the fabric to the frame include,

a pair of nip rolls.

3. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which,

said receiving member is a vertically movable table.

4. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 3 in which positioning members are provided for controlling the positioning of said table.

5. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 4 in which said positioning members include fluid pressure controlled supporting portions and fluid pressure controlled table elevating portions.

6. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which said air discharge members include a pair of ducts with terminal nozzles. 7. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which said valve means includes a swingably mounted air diverting member. 8. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which,

said holding members include a pair of spaced horizontal downwardly facing portions, and operating connections are provided for simultaneously operating said holding members and said valve means. 9. Apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric as defined in claim 1 in which said valve means has timed operating members, said holding members have timed operating members,

and

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fulk 270-79 Brenn 270-79 Miller 270-31 Morley et a1.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

PAUL V. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

